A Colonoscopy is an endoscopic procedure that uses an optical instrument to examine the inner linings of the large intestine and the distal end of the small intestine. The procedure is also used to extract tissue for pathological examination.
A Colonoscopy procedure involves the anus, parts of the large intestine (rectum, sigmoid colon, and colon), and terminal portion of the small intestine.
There could be various reasons for performing a Colonoscopy procedure. Some of these include:
To study and diagnose any ailment related to the large intestine, a Colonoscopy procedure remains the gold standard technique. However, barium enema X-ray studies, can also serve as an alternative.
Colonoscopy is an excellent procedure, which is used to diagnose any problems related to the large intestine.
The cost of Colostomy procedure depends on a variety of factors, such as the type of your health insurance, annual deductibles, co-pay requirements, out-of-network and in-network of your healthcare providers and healthcare facilities.
In many cases, an estimate may be provided before the procedure. The final amount depends upon the findings during the surgery/procedure and post-operative care that is necessary.
http://my.clevelandclinic.org/services/colonoscopy/hic_colonoscopy_procedure.aspx (accessed on 24th July, 2012)
http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/colonoscopy/ (accessed on 24th July, 2012)
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/colonoscopy/MY00621 (accessed on 24th July, 2012)
A Colonoscopy procedure is performed in a hospital, out-patient facility, or an endoscopy suite. The individual can go home the same day.
The Colonoscopy is performed either by a gastroenterologist, general surgeon, or a colorectal surgeon, along with an anesthesiologist (only if really necessary).
The procedure may take anywhere between 30-60 minutes. If necessary, the physician may ask the individual to wait for a longer time period at the healthcare facility, for observation.
It is very important to provide the following information to your healthcare provider. This enables your healthcare provider in assessing the risks for the surgical procedure and helps avoid unnecessary complications.
A physician will request your consent for Colonoscopy procedure using an Informed Consent Form.
Consent for the Procedure: A “consent” is your approval to undergo a procedure. A consent form is signed after the risks and benefits of the procedure, and alternative treatment options, are discussed. This process is called informed consent.
You must sign the forms only after you are totally satisfied by the answers to your questions. In case of minors and individuals unable to personally give their consent, the individual’s legal guardian or next of kin, shall give their consent for the procedure.
The individual has to undergo certain tests prior to a Colonoscopy procedure, such as:
Some of the basic questions that you might ask your physician are as follows:
During the procedure, no anesthesia is administered; however, intravenous sedation is given.
The endoscopic procedure is less invasive and there is little, or no blood loss involved.
The possible risks or complications that may arise during the procedure are as follows:
At the healthcare facility, generally there is no requirement for any post-procedure care, unless any complications arise.
Post Colonoscopy, the following complications may arise:
A Colonoscopy procedure provides information that helps the physician to successfully diagnose or rule out any disease or disorders of the colon. The recovery from the procedure is excellent.
Do contact your surgeon/physician if you notice any of the following symptoms:
Generally, after a Colonoscopy, no particular care is necessary at home.
It takes about 4 days to completely recover from the procedure.
The tissue is taken for further examination and is later disposed, as per the standard medical procedure.
The tissue removed is processed in the laboratory under a pathologist's supervision
The slide(s) are prepared once the tissue is processed, and this is examined by a pathologist and a pathology report issued
Depending on the complexity of the case, issue of the report may take anywhere between 72 hours to a week's time
It is important to note that the number of bills that the patient may receive depends on the arrangement the healthcare facility has with the physician and healthcare providers.
Sometimes, the patient may get a single bill that includes the healthcare facility charges and the physician charges. Alternatively, the patient might get multiple bills depending on the healthcare provider involved. For instance, the patient may get a bill from
The patient is advised to inquire and confirm the type of billing, before a Colonoscopy is performed.
We sincerely acknowledge and thank Dr. Douglas J. Jones for reviewing the article. His valuable input and feedback has helped enrich the contents of this article.
Douglas J. Jones, MD FACS
Board
Certified General Surgeon and Faculty Member
University of Illinois, College of Medicine at Urbana-Champaign
506 S. Mathews Ave., Urbana, IL 61801, USA
and connect with fellow professionals
At DoveMed, our utmost priority is your well-being. We are an online medical resource dedicated to providing you with accurate and up-to-date information on a wide range of medical topics. But we're more than just an information hub - we genuinely care about your health journey. That's why we offer a variety of products tailored for both healthcare consumers and professionals, because we believe in empowering everyone involved in the care process.
Our mission is to create a user-friendly healthcare technology portal that helps you make better decisions about your overall health and well-being. We understand that navigating the complexities of healthcare can be overwhelming, so we strive to be a reliable and compassionate companion on your path to wellness.
As an impartial and trusted online resource, we connect healthcare seekers, physicians, and hospitals in a marketplace that promotes a higher quality, easy-to-use healthcare experience. You can trust that our content is unbiased and impartial, as it is trusted by physicians, researchers, and university professors around the globe. Importantly, we are not influenced or owned by any pharmaceutical, medical, or media companies. At DoveMed, we are a group of passionate individuals who deeply care about improving health and wellness for people everywhere. Your well-being is at the heart of everything we do.
0 Comments
Please log in to post a comment.